Tunji Alausa says a dual mandate allowing colleges of
education (COEs) to award both bachelor’s degrees and the National Certificate
in Education (NCE) is set for implementation.
In 2023, the mandate was signed into law, having undergone
ideation with numerous committees recommending its adoption.
It was to take effect from the 2024/2025 academic session
(starting September 2024), where only federal COEs aged at least 10 years were
to pilot the programme.
Alausa spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during a follow-up meeting
on resolutions from the last biannual stakeholders meeting.
He said the implementation of the dual mandate will now
begin in September 2025.
The education minister said it would boost enrolment in COEs
and eliminate the need to convert COEs to universities.
Alausa said reforms within COEs are important for adapting to
modern demands and technological advancements.
He urged educators to integrate technology, critical
thinking, and computational skills into their curricula.
“We once had a strong educational system, and that’s what we
are working hard to restore. All hands are on deck to achieve this,” he said.
“We must tackle the high number of out-of-school children
and reduce learning poverty across the country. As teachers, you are at the
centre of driving this change, and you must also challenge yourselves.
“The way we taught 30 or 50 years ago is no longer relevant.
Education and teaching methods are evolving. You must start thinking about how
to use technology in the classroom.”
Alausa stressed the need for educators to harness
educational technology and artificial intelligence to improve teaching and
learning outcomes.
Addressing declining enrolment in colleges of education, he
urged administrators and staff to support the ongoing reforms, warning that the
survival of their institutions depends on their ability to adapt.
“With this dual mandate, there is no need for conversion to
university status. You should be the ones pushing for implementation, not the
other way around. It’s a matter of your survival,” he said.
“The government has secured the future of colleges of
education. It is now up to you to sustain them. Failure to embrace this mandate
could lead to extinction.
“With this reform, there’s no justification for any college
of education to seek university status.”
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